Advertisement Banner
Wednesday, August 27, 2025
Subscribe
Home Blog Page 4937

Barclays commissions new Students hostel at UNZA Ridgway campus

editor
-
13

Barclays Bank Zambia PLC has officially commissioned the K3.2 billion students hostel accommodation at the University of Zambia (UNZA) Ridgway campus.

The new hostel block with a capacity of 60 bed spaces is aimed at addressing the current accommodation problems being faced at the institution.

Speaking during the commissioning in Lusaka today, Education Minister Dora Siliya reiterated Government’s commitment towards providing quality education and increasing access at all levels.

ZANIS reports that Ms. Siliya however, said this could only be achieved if there were concerted efforts from both the Government and other stakeholders in improving infrastructure development.

She explained that Government has taken it upon itself to ensure that access to education at all levels was improved and has since embarked on infrastructure development throughout the country.

She cited the construction of new Secondary Schools in all the provinces and also the provision of funds to public universities under the infrastructure development budget line as some of the initiatives that are targeted at improving the education sector.

The Minister further thanked Barclays Bank Zambia for supporting the education sector in its social corporate responsibility programmes.

Ms Siliya added that the donation of K3.2 billion towards the construction of student’s hostel and a further K33 million for rehabilitation of the old hostels is a true and practical expression of social corporate responsibility that other institutions must emulate.

And Barclays Bank Zambia PLC Chairperson Jacob Sikazwe reaffirmed his company’s continued support to the Education sector in the country.

Mr. Sikazwe said the Bank through its social responsibility would continue to provide sustainable programmes that meet the interest of customers and communities where it operates from.

He also disclosed that the company has set up a scholarship fund to support the education of economically disadvantaged students both at UNZA and the Copperbelt University noting that so far, 30 scholarships have been offered.

Earlier, Chairperson of the UNZA Council Tukiya Kankasa Mabula said infrastructure played an important role in the university’s ability to offer and deliver quality education programmes and to conduct research.

Dr. Mabula noted that the infrastructure requirement at the university had in the past years stagnated due to financial constraints which resulted in shortages in student’s accommodation.

She added that student population at the institution had also increased to 13,000 in 2010 from 3,000 in the 1970s adding that the university was only able to accommodate 3,191 students leaving more than 7,000 unaccommodated.

She thanked Government and other partners like Barclays Bank for responding positively to the challenges of infrastructure development for the education sector.

ZANIS

Sata advised against making politics out of Chibombamilimo’s death

editor
-
57
Information minister Ronnie Shikapwasha (R)

Chief Government Spokesperson, Ronnie Shikapwasha has accused Patriotic Front (PF) President Michael Sata of trying to gain political mileage out of the death of Mpulungu Member of Parliament Lameck Chibombamilimo. Lieutenant General Shikapwasha said while the nation was mourning the death of the MP, Mr. Sata was busy without remorse engaging in cheap and selfless political rhetoric over his death.

Mr. Sata was today quoted in the Post newspaper as saying President Banda’s wish to eliminate Lameck Chibombamilimo has been fulfilled. Lt. Gen. Shikapwasha described as un-Zambian, unethical and unacceptable Mr. Sata’s conduct.

Lt. Gen. Shikapwasha said this in a statement released to ZANIS in Lusaka today. He has since advised Mr. Sata to leave politics out the death of the former MP so that the nation could mourn his death in peace.

“It is shocking that while the nation is engulfed in grief and sorrow over the passing on of one of its nationals, Mr. Sata without remorse chooses to engage in cheap and selfish political rhetoric. This is un-Zambia, unethical and unacceptable,” Lt. Gen Shikapwasha said.

Lt. Gen. Shikapwasha who is also Information and Broadcasting Services Minister said President Banda as a father of the nation cared for all Zambians including Mr. Sata. He emphasized that it was out of this care that he sanctioned the evacuation of Mr. Chimbombamilimo for specialist treatment to India.

He added that Mr. Sata also benefited from the government intervention when he was flown for specialist treatment in South Africa in 2007. “Lest he has forgotten, Mr. Sata himself is a beneficiary of government intervention when he was flown to South Africa for specialist treatment a few years ago no one politicized his evacuation as he is doing” Lt. Gen Shikapwasha said.

Meanwhile, Body of the late Mpulungu MMD Member of Parliament (MP) Lameck Chibombamilimo arrived today at Lusaka International Airport aboard an Ethiopian Airways at 14:55 hours. Mr. Chibombamilimo, who is also former Energy Deputy Minister, died in the early hours of yesterday due to a kidney failure.

The late Chibombamilimo was evacuated recently by government to India at Apollo Hospital in New Delhi for specialist treatment where he died. The body of the late Mpulungu MMD MP was received by Foreign Affairs Minister Kabinga Mpande, Minister of Health Kapembwa Simbao and Lusaka Province Minister Charles Shawa.

Others who were at hand to receive the body are Tourism Minister Catherine Namugala, MMD National Chairman Michael Mabenga, Deputy Minister in the Office of the Vice President Guston Sichilima, Patriotic Front President Micheal Sata and other MMD and leaders from opposition political parties.

And in receiving the body, MMD Lusaka Central Constituency Chairperson, Chilekwa Munkonge said the party will try to avoid differences with the opposition Patriotic Front as this was a time of mourning. Mr. Munkonge noted that funerals were supposed to bring people together regardless of their political affiliation hence the need for everyone to behave as a mourner and not cadre.

He hoped that the bad behavior the PF cadres exhibited at the airport would not be extended to the funeral house or to Northern Province if the body would be transported and buried there.

And Mandevu PF Member of Parliament Jean Kapata said her party is saddened by the death of Mr. Chibombamilimo. Ms Kapata said the death of the late MP was not only a great loss not only to the MMD but the country as a whole. She noted that the PF would have loved to see the late Chibombamilimo finish his term of office because he was hard working person.

She has since appealed to the family and mourners to mourn peacefully and encouraged the widow to remain strong during this trying moment.

ZANIS

Grandstand: Yamoto’s Bungled Gamble

sports
-
2

City of Lusaka may have just booked their one-way ticket to demotion with the sudden firing of Chris “Gaza” Tembo on Tuesday.

Mr Fix-it Gaza whose exploits during his turbulent reign at Nakambala Leopards for two seasons in the Super Division are well documented, has been replaced by Fewdays Musonda who his week also made dramatic exit at division one south club Lusaka City Council (LCC) by announcing his resignation via a phone call to his bosses at Civic Centre.

Hiring a third coach in 20 games tells you a lot of how the system at City works as they stay riveted at the bottom of the table in 16th place.

Gaza’s dismissal comes in the wake of a 2-0 away defeat to league leaders Nchanga Rangers on Saturday that saw City drop from 15th 16th on the table.

That defeat came on the back two successive wins for City; the first a 3-2 away win over fellow strugglers Lusaka Dynamos and the second a 1-0 convincing though gusty win over Red Arrows at Woodlands stadium that seemed to signal that Gaza’s team was turning the corner.

Under Gaza, City have won three of their four games the first also against Arrows in his first short two-match reign in April before he was demoted to be Alfred Lupiya’s assistant who was fired at the mid-season break after winning just one match from nine with four draws and as many defeats.

According to an insider, signs that Gaza’s days were numbered at Woodlands manifested prior to City’s  trip to Chingola on Saturday when he was allegedly handed an alternative team list they believed will do better against leaders Rangers with 15 players traveling to the Copperbelt.

However, the opposite happened and City lost leaving Gaza as a scapegoat for the loss leading to is subsequent firing.

His replacement Fewdays is a brave man to have jumped from an almost financially secure job at LCC to cash-strapped City.

Moreover, while Fewdays is credited with steering Nkana to promotion last year before his unceremonious dismissal in Kitwe, his record at LCC has not been that glamorous.

LCC are perched in 11th place on 29 points from 23 games and 16 points behind leaders Nakambala Leopards.

On Saturday, Fewdays and City come face-to-face at Woodlands with Nkana under an inspired Linos Makwaza .

Nkana are enjoying good spell with two successive wins from three games in charge for Makwaza .

Fewsdays should pray he wins because victory for Makwaza at Woodlands will be a victory for the virtues of patience.

Law to empower Zambians with key positions in firms on cards

editor
-
58
Labour and Social Security Deputy Minister Simon Kachimba

Government has disclosed that it will soon enact a law that will give Zambian nationals a chance to hold high positions in companies owned by foreign investors.

Labour Deputy Minister Simon Kachimba says Zambia has highly qualified nationals who have the capability to effectively run most of the big companies in the country hence the need to for them to be given a chance to hold key positions in these companies.

Mr Kachimba said though investors can bring in a few expatiates in key positions like finance, the majority of top portfolios should be held by local people, adding that Government will ensure that this happens in its bid to empower local people.

The Deputy Minister was speaking in Lusaka today when he addressed the Zambianisation committee that has been tasked to implement measures aimed at curtailing the recruitment of cheap expatriate labour.

Mr Kachimba said Government is committed to providing decent employment for its people and will do everything possible to ensure that it safeguards employment for its nationals.

He stressed that Government is also committed to preparing Zambian nationals so that they take over jobs from expatriates as a way of empowering them.

Mr Kachimba however said for this to happen it is vital to come up with a succession plan aimed at identifying and developing internal personnel with the potential to fill key or critical organisational positions.

He urged the Zambianisation committee to follow up each company’s succession plan so that the country has fully backed nationals who will run companies effectively once they take over.

[ZANIS]

Media houses maintains self regulation stance

Entertainment Editor
-
5

Press Association of Zambia vice president Amos Chanda (left)
Press Association of Zambia vice president Amos Chanda (left).

The Media Liaison Committee has maintained that it will go ahead with self regulation for the media in the country despite government’s resistance.

MLC spokesperson Amos Chanda said despite government taking a different stance on the matter, the committee has resolved that it will push for self media regulation in the country.

Mr Chanda says the committee has received immense support from different stakeholders, adding that this is an indication that self regulation is the way to go.

Mr Chanda told a media briefing in Lusaka this morning that the document on self regulation, the Fringilla Consensus,is the most comprehensive self regulatory mechanism in the history of the country as it was agreed by representatives from all media houses in the country.

And Mr Chanda has announced that the launch of the Zambia Media Council has been set for Thursday, 26th August 2010 following the approval of the registration formalities and scrutiny of the names of founding members that have lodged the application on behalf of the council.

He says the process of nominating members of the National Governing Council (NGC) of ZAMEC is ongoing and that once the list is complete,a meeting will be convened to approve the nominees.

Govt hailed for stopping home tuitions

Entertainment Editor
-
18

The Zambia National Education Coalition (ZANEC) has applauded Government for directing all teachers to stop conducting tuitions with pupils in their homes.

ZANEC Executive Director Miriam Chinyama said the directive was long overdue adding that there has been an increase in sexual abuse among girls.

Ms Chinyama explained to ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka today that Government should ensure that teachers were monitored so that the directive by Ms Siliya was adhered to countrywide.

She added that if not properly monitored, some teachers would ignore the directive and continue conducting tuitions with pupils in their homes.

Ms Chinyama said ZANEC did not want to see the situation continue even after the Government’s directive.

Education Minister Dora Siliya has since directed all teachers to stop conducting tuitions with pupils in their homes saying the practice had resulted in increased sexual abuse among girls.

The Ministry of Education has recorded 16 cases of sexual abuse perpetrated by some male teachers countrywide from January this year to date, resulting in unwanted pregnancies.

[ ZANIS ]

Northern Province to ‘harvest’ K128bn from maize

editor
-
23
Farmers off-loading their maize at a Food Reserve Agency depot in Kabwe.

NORTHERN Province expects more than K128 billion in revenue from the sale of maize to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) and the millers this year.

In the previous season, the province was able to generate K72 billion from the sale of maize to the agency and this year’s would represent over 75 per cent increase.

Provincial agriculture officer Conrad Muzela said in an interview that the FRA would procure 32 per cent of the maize from the farmers thereby contributing to economic growth of the province.

Northern Province produced 309,078 tonnes of maize for the 2009/2010 farming season.

“In terms of maize, we are feeding the nation and food basket is slowly shifting from Southern Province to Northern Province,” Mr Muzela said.

[pullquote]“In terms of maize, we are feeding the nation and food basket is slowly shifting from Southern Province to Northern Province,” Mr Muzela said.[/pullquote]

He said the K128 billion would be generated from FRA alone and there were also private buyers who were likely to push up the figure to more K100 billion.

He said the province was becoming self- sustainable because of the diversified crops that the farmers were producing thereby stimulating growth in the various sectors.

“We are now cultivating crops like sorghum, millet, sweet potatoes and groundnuts among others,” Mr Muzela said.

He also said Zambia was slowly being consumed by hybrid seeds hence the need for farmers to preserve the local seed.

“We are now encouraging farmers to utilise local seeds and repackage them for the next farming season as this will help maintain the local breed,” Mr Muzela said

[Times of Zambia]

NCC pledges to stick to 2011 deadline

editor
-
14
FDD vice president Chifumu Banda

NATIONAL Constitutional Conference (NCC) chairperson Chifumu Banda says the conference is determined to make its contribution towards ensuring that Government delivers a new Constitution before the 2011 general elections.

And Mr Banda has told NCC members who no longer believe in the process to stay away from it.
Mr Banda was speaking in his opening remarks at the eighth session of the NCC plenary.

He said the NCC secretariat received and compiled memoranda from the public, which will facilitate debate and adoption of the final report and Constitution Bill in readiness for submission to the Minister of Justice.

Mr Banda said the final stages in the constitution-making process have had to be revised to exclude certain activities such as the collection of views from all the 72 districts because of inadequate funding.

He said because of lack of funds, the current session of the NCC will be held for only four days. “This time around, we do not have the luxury of time and financial resources in the face of the 31st August, 2010 deadline, when the National Constitutional Conference will stand dissolved,” Mr Banda said.

The remaining tasks of the NCC involves the incorporation of the views and comments of the public into the final report and draft Bill in readiness for handing them over to the Minister of Justice by the end of this month.

The NCC will be dissolved and the terms of offices of members will expire on August 31, 2010, in accordance with the NCC Amendment Act number 5 of 2010.

Another task which needs to be undertaken by the NCC in this session is to determine how the provisions of the draft Constitution will be enacted.

Mr Banda said it is important to note that the input of the public is crucial for the final conclusion of the constitution-making process, and the consequent realisation of a people’s Constitution.

“It is gratifying to note that an overwhelming number of members of the public, including those stakeholders who had boycotted the NCC, submitted their comments to the secretariat on the initial report and draft Constitution,” he said.
Mr Banda urged members to ensure that no submission is neglected even if one individual submits it on an isolated subject.

He said the NCC executive and secretariat have since engaged Dr Mutumba Bull and Dr Sichalwe Kasanda to edit the final report of the NCC, while Justice Matthews Ngulube and Dr Mpazi Sinjela, who have a legal background, have been engaged to identify inconsistencies in the draft Constitution.

“It must be noted that these experts have been instructed not to alter any decision of the Conference as they undertake their work,” Mr Banda said.

And Mr Banda advised members who no longer believe in the NCC process to stay away from the proceedings.
This was after commissioners Ngenda Sipalo and Dante Saunders openly alleged that the process was going nowhere.

Mr Sipalo alleged that the process was being driven by the MMD. He accused Vice-President George Kunda and Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services Ronnie Shikapwasha of being spokespersons of the NCC.
But Mr Banda stated that although the NCC only had one spokesperson, Mrs Mwangala Zaloumis, every Zambian has the right to comment on the process.

“I will allow those who believe in this process to continue, but those of us who have stopped believing in it should stay away,” Mr Banda said.

And Mr Banda said no NCC member will be paid gratuity.

‘HH will never be president’ – Chizyuka

Entertainment Editor
-
78

UPND president Hakainde Hichilema with his party's parliamentary candidate for Luena constituency Muyunda Ilionga during a campaign meeting in Mongu

Namwala Member of Parliament (MP) Robbie Chizyuka has advised United Party for National Development (UPND) president, Hakainde Hichilema, to accept that he will never rule Zambia.

Major Chizyuka said the recent by-election defeat in Luena to the Alliance for Democracy and Development (ADD) is a clear indication that Mr. Hichilema has limited support in the country.

He said it is quite surprising that the UPND president has been boasting that he controls the western province when in fact not.

The Namwala MP said the only province that the UPND could boast of having support is southern province, and a bit of North western province.

Major Chizyuka said Mr Hichilema’s hopes for the presidency are a bridge too far, adding that the sooner he realizes it the better.

He added that in the history of Zambia, no candidate has won the presidency with support from one province.

Major Chizyuka noted that the only hope for the UPND president is to become vice president to Patriotic Front (PF) leader Michael Sata.

He, however, observed that the PF is making inroads in the UPND strongholds.
[ QFM ]

UPND refutes wrangles in Mwembeshi Constituency

Entertainment Editor
-
4

UPND Cadres

United Party for National Development (UPND) Secretary General Winston Chibwe has refuted media reports that confusion has erupted among party officials in Mwembeshi constituency in Mumbwa district over tribal remarks attributed to two constituency officials in the area.

Speaking to ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka today Mr Chibwe denied media allegations that wrangles have issued between area Member of Parliament (MP) Edward Kasoko and some two senior party officials.

The two senior party officials who have allegedly differed with Mr Kasoko are Mumbwa UPND District Chairman Ekrol Mungo and Mwembeshi constituency chairman Abel Makala,.

Mr Mungo and a Mr Makala have been accused of campaigning for Harrison Mukupa, a Lusaka businessman for the position of area MP in next year’s elections.

Mr Chibwe said though he has not officially received information over the matter, it was not true that there was a misunderstanding among the top three UPND officials in the constituency.

He also denied media reports that Mr Mungo and Mr Makala issued tribal remarks that Mwembeshi was not a go area for certain tribes.

And UPND cadres who declined to be named for fear of victimization have called on their leadership to immediately convene a meeting to resolve the wrangles that have erupted in Mwembeshi Coonstituency.

[ ZANIS ]

Zambia face Uganda

Entertainment Editor
-
3

Zambia today starts preparations for the 2012 Equatorial Guinea/Gabon Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers with an international friendly against the ‘Cranes’ of Uganda at Nelson Mandela Stadium in Kampala.

The match will be Dario Bonetti’s debut after signing a two-year contract last month.
The absence of foreign-based players will give Bonetti an opportunity to assess local players.
Zambia will be without skipper Christopher Katongo, Jacob Mulenga, Felix Katongo, Joseph Musonda, Chintu Kampamba, Stopilla Sunzu and Emmanuel Mbola, all regulars at the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations in Angola.

Others who have not travelled include Emmanuel Mayuka, Given Singuluma and Hichani Himoonde.
Goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene and midfielder Rainford Kalaba are the only regulars from the team that reached the quarter-finals in Angola.

Bonetti is likely to start with Mweene in goal although Kalililo Kakonje or Jacob Banda could be roped in as Bonetti wants to assess all the players.
Zambia’s backline will comprise Billy Mwanza, Nyambe Mulenga, Jimmy Chisenga and Brian Musonda.

Kalaba, William Njovu, Kennedy Chola and Arthur Kaseloki will do battle in midfield against Uganda’s Mike Sserumanga, Dan Waguluka and Vincent Kagizzi.
Rodger Kola and Enock Sakala will be tasked with the responsibility of getting goals.

In case the duo fail to impress, Bonetti is likely to bring in Luka Lungu and Kennedy Chola.
Uganda coach Bobby Williamson, tasked with qualifying the Cranes for the 2012 Africa Cup finals, has assembled a strong squad.

Williamson will however miss the services of injured midfielder David Obua of Scottish side Hearts.
Uganda will be seeking to preserve the Cranes’ five-year unbeaten run at the Nelson Mandela Stadium.
The Cranes’ defence will have skipper Ibrahim Sekagya (Red Bull Salzburg), Nestroy Kizito (Partizan Belgrade), Godfrey Walusimbi and Simeon Masaba.

Egypt-based Geoffrey Massa of Club Itesalat and Joseph Owino will lead the Cranes attack.
[ Zambia Daily Mail ]

Mufumbwe violence worst-ever — ECZ chief

Entertainment Editor
-
6

Electrol Commission of Zambia (ECZ) director Dan Kalale yesterday told the Lusaka High Court that violence which characterised the Mufumbwe parliamentary by-election was the worst in Zambia.

Mr Kalale, 43, of Lusaka, said there was violence on a grand scale in Mufumbwe because of the atmosphere in which the election was held and in Zambia, that was the worst violence witnessed.

This is in a case in which MMD losing candidate Mulondwe Muzungu has petitioned the election of United Party for National Development (UPND)’s Elliot Kamondo as Mufumbwe Member of Parliament.

“We had violence in the parliamentary by-election of Mukaika Constituency in Eastern Province in 1990 leading to its nullification as well as Mapatizya in Southern Province in 2005 but that could not be compared to the one experienced in Mufumbwe, everyone saw it,” Mr Kalale said.

Testifying in cross-examination by the petitioner’s lawyer Eric Silwamba, Mr Kalale said ECZ lamented in a communiqué issued on May 10 this year that violence promoted apathy and low voter turnout.

The ECZ declared that it would take necessary steps to find solutions to violence and criminal activities perpetrated during the by-elections in Milanzi and Mufumbwe.

And in examination-in-chief by the respondent’s lawyer Bonaventure Mutale, Mr Kalale told the court that Judge Philip Musonda had subpoenaed him to submit data of parliamentary by-elections from 2000 to 2010 but he only managed to do so from 2002 to date, excluding Mufumbwe.

In the same court, a witness said Chief Chizela intimidated more than 20 headmen in his chiefdom and asked them to vote for the MMD candidate after he gave them new suits and shirts.

Luckson Ndonyo said the traditional leader was seen going round his chiefdom telling people to vote for Mr Muzungu and discouraging them from voting for Mr Kamondo, claiming he was not Zambian.

Another witness, Joseph Sembele said Chief Chizela chased him from the palace after being accused of voting for the UPND.
[ Times of Zambia ]

Sondashi HIV/AIDS Formula goes for phase one clinical trial

editor
-
31
Inventor of the SF2000 Ludwig Sondashi

New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) Agency, the Southern African Network for Biosciences (SANBIO) has submitted a study design and a report for a phase one clinical trial protocol aimed at establishing the safety of the Sondashi Formula (SF2000) formulation to Government.

Presenting the two reports to Science Permanent Secretary Sherry Thole at her office in Lusaka today, NEPAD Agency Director Luke Mumba said scientists have found the SF2000 to be useful in clinical trials for HIV/AIDS.

Prof Mumba said scientists have found the SF2000 to possess particles that can be used in clinical trials for HIV/AIDS.

He said the reports were a significant milestone in the country’s discovery of an HIV/AIDS drug.

Prof Mumba also said there was need for the world to deal with the global HIV/AIDS crisis, which was one of the greatest humanitarian challenges of this generation with the seriousness it deserved.

He said a combination of indigenous knowledge and the rich biodiversity with the application of scientific and traditional knowledge may just be the answer to the AIDS pandemic.

And speaking at the same occasion, Science PS Sherry Thole expressed hope that the SF2000 would play a critical role in the health delivery system in the near future.

Ms Thole however said that for the country to realise the goal, a lot more research work needed to be done.

She said the immediate task was for the nation to look for funds to support the clinical trials, adding that her ministry in liaison with other stakeholders like the Ministry of Health and the National AIDS Council (NAC) would work on finding ways to do this.

And inventor of the SF2000 Ludwig Sondashi said the report of the effectiveness of the SF2000 in fighting AIDS had proven his critics wrong.

Dr Sondashi urged Government and other stakeholders involved to ensure the formula was not taken away from the hands of Zambians because Zambia stood to benefit a lot from the discovery of an HIV cure.

ZANIS

Solwezi Farmers Protest against FRA for non payment

editor
-
0
File:Peasant farmers selling their part of their maize harvest

A group of 50 Small scale farmers in Solwezi District today stormed the District Commissioner’s (DCs) office to protest over the non payment of their money by the Food Reserve Agency (FRA).

The emotional and visibly annoyed small scale farmers from the outskirts of the district who have been camping at FRA depot for two weeks complained of delayment by FRA to pay them their money despite selling their maize early.

The farmers said it was not fair for FRA to tell them that it had no money after having travelled from far places and appealed to government to quickly address their plight because some of them were spending nights in the cold as they did not have relatives in town.

They accused FRA officials of not following the first come first serve rule when paying money to farmers.

Solwezi FRA Warehouse Supervisor Elvinard Mupela said the K 1.4 billion released two weeks ago to the district to pay farmers had been exhausted.

He said that so far 402 farmers had been paid their money while those who remained would be paid next week.

Mr Mupela said his office had requested for K1.3 billion from FRA to pay farmers that sold their maize to FRA before 31st July this year to avoid tension.

Solwezi DC Frobisher Fulayi appealed to FRA to release enough money to the district for purchasing of maize because more maize still needed to be bought due to a bumper harvest recorded this year.

Mr Fulayi said small scale farmers contribute greatly to the country’s grain basket hence the need to pay them their money on time, adding that delayment will only discourage them from producing maize next year.

ZANIS

Start negotiating for skills development-Labour movement told

editor
-
1
Labour and Social Security Deputy Minister Simon Kachimba

Labour Deputy Minister, Simon Kachimba has challenged trade unions to expand their role and start negotiating for skills development at work places.

Mr. Kachimba said the unions should stop putting their focus only on bargaining for conditions of services for workers but help contribute to skills development for the future.

He said it is only through skills development that workers will enhance their productivity thereby being justified to demand for better conditions of services.

Mr. Kachimba said this in a speech read on his behalf by Assistant Labour Commissioner Simon Kapilima at the official launch of the first ever Zambia National Union of Teachers (ZNUT) branch at a private school at Licef School in Lusaka today.

He said trade unions should also not be seen as only bringing confusion at work places but should help in enhancing dignity.

Meanwhile, he has reiterated the need for school management to pay attention to the facilitation of dialogue between them and teachers to create a conducive environment.

The Deputy Minister also praised Licef school management for allowing its staffs to join the union adding that Government takes pride in the way they handle process of negotiations for salaries.

And ZNUT President Henry Kapenda has assured Licef management that his union is productivity orientated and will help its teachers in solving their challenges.

Mr. Kapenda said he will ensure that teachers put in their best so that this goes in line with the rewards.

He added that ZNUT will not compromise in ensuring that there is discipline among the teachers.

And speaking earlier, Licef Executive Committee Chairperson, Younus Essa said the joining of the union will ensure that employers and workers resolve grievances using established channels.

Mr. Essa said as a pioneer of private school education Licef has also made history by becoming the first private school to join a trade union in Zambia.

ZANIS

1...4,9364,9374,938...5,657Page 4,937 of 5,657

Company

Trending

Categories

© Lusaka Times